State Rep. Dwayne Bohac announces he won't seek reelection
Bohac's decision gives Democrats one of their best pickup opportunities next year in the Texas House. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7b7587bb4e4757fc633973eb7f663f4a/Dwayne%20Bohac%20TT.jpg)
-
![State Rep. Dwayne Bohac, R-Houston, on the house floor.]()
Credit: Via Bohac campaign website -
Texas raises sentencing for hit-and-run car accidents to equivalent of DWI manslaughter
A new law increased the punishment for failing to stop and render aid to match the sentence for DWI manslaughter. The goal is to deter drunken drivers from leaving the scene of an accident. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/20d489003777f75570f208a5b8eb1bf4/UT%20Track%20Athlete%20Phil%20Wood%20UT%20TT.jpg)
![Phil Wood was killed in Austin in 2014 by a driver who left the scene of the accident.]()
Credit: Courtesy of the University of Texas Athletics -
Analysis: Texas gun laws might not change, but the conversation is evolving
Repeated mass shootings can change officials' minds about their policy stances. After recent massacres, Texas politicians and officeholders are talking about guns in new ways. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f1358a98a282a684559f78f8d0ecdcd5/Guns%20Gun%20Store%20CR%20TT.jpg)
![Guns at McBride's Guns in Austin on March 26, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Back on the outs, right where Michael Quinn Sullivan thrives
The conservative Empower Texans leader was out of favor with Republican state leaders at the end of the legislative session. Now he's on the outs with them in a whole new way. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1014fdfe0c885b52c3ae071077ae32c6/MQS%20JF%20TT.jpg)
![Michael Quinn Sullivan of Empower Texans speaks at a conservative grassroots rally for property tax relief and reform at the Texas Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. César Blanco to run for Texas Senate
He is vying to replace state Sen. José Rodríguez, who announced Friday he is not seeking reelection. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4ca4925e309487fdff9bd23657964bed/Cesar_Blanco_CENSUS_MKC_TT.jpg)
![At a press conference at the Texas Capitol, state Rep. César Blanco, D-El Paso, addresses the decision taken by the Trump Administration to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas redistricting is hard enough when politicians trust the mapmakers
Lawmakers get jittery when it's time to redraw their political maps, and the exercise is based on a mix of power, party, clout, tenure — and trust. That last one is a fleeting quality in the Texas House right now. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Watson1CMS.jpg)
![State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, looks at redistricting maps at a Senate hearing on May 13, 2011.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott suggests improving voluntary background checks for person-to-person gun sales
Abbott stopped short of saying the Legislature should make the background checks mandatory. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/55c4b268099ebed90aa088cd47d4f511/03%20Safety%20Commission%20roundtable%20MKC%20TT.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, hold the first meeting of the Texas Safety Commission at the state capitol Aug. 22, 2019.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
How a decade of voting rights fights led to fewer redistricting safeguards for Texas voters of color
In a state with a long history of discrimination, lawmakers on Tuesday will kick off the 2021 round of political mapmaking — the first in nearly half a century without federal oversight. Full Story
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Transparency can be downright hazardous to Texas lawmakers
A state senator decided to run for U.S. Senate and had to disclose information about his income and assets that isn't required of Texas officials. Just think what we might learn if Texas politicians had to meet the more stringent federal standards. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/14/Royce_West_SB2_MKC_TT.jpg)
![State Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Senate Bill 2 on March 14, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The delicate balance of protecting Texans in a state that worships guns
Shootings in Odessa and El Paso added pressure on Republican state leaders to do more to protect Texans. But in a state that prides itself on lenient firearms laws, the politics are treacherous. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/51351d12ce47d0cf75bf25f3c28f1e1f/Abbott%20El%20Paso%20Presser%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![Governor Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference after a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso. Aug. 3, 2019.]()
Credit: Mark Lambie / El Paso Times/USA TODAY NETWORK -
Three Texas House special elections draw 27 candidates
Wednesday was the filing deadline for the Nov. 5 special elections in three House districts, including one that Democrats are trying to flip. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cb84f8c64a7199ac10af61602bf7ffc0/Zerwas%20Farrar%20Johnson.jpg)
![From left: State Reps. John Zerwas, Jessica Farrar and Dallas Mayor and former state Rep. Eric Johnson.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr.: Zerwas/Emree Weaver: Farrar and Johnson -
Greg Abbott backs “expedited executions” for mass shooters after Odessa shooting
The governor tweeted Monday night that Texas is “working on a legislative package” and that “expedited executions for mass murderers would be a nice addition.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/660610aba162dcb2352fa5a26ead54f7/TXTsignpress_003%20CR%20TT.jpg)
![From left: State Sens. Jane Nelson, Larry Taylor and state Rep. Greg Bonnen look on as Gov. Greg Abbott talks about bills he's signed to improve school safety and provide greater mental health resources to students, in Austin on June 6, 2019.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
For those with autism and other disabilities, new law could prevent miscommunication with police
“The officer will know prior to approaching the vehicle that this person might have a challenge speaking with him," says Jennifer Allen, whose son is the namesake of the Samuel Allen Law. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8117d14c8e8c0f19f9921e672a1c632c/01%20Dallas%20Police%20Car%20Patrol.JPG)
![A Dallas police car on patrol.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill for The Texas Tribune -
820 new Texas laws go into effect in September. Here are some that might affect you.
The laws include new rules for smokers, telemarketers and kids selling lemonade. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/868c9f53a8997f09d1fdc986c1261b6e/02_State_Capitol_Detail_Shots_MG.jpg)
![Texas State Capitol on Jan. 8, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Sutherland Springs pastor announces run for Texas Senate
The pastor, Frank Pomeroy, said Sunday he will run as a Republican for District 21, currently held by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/81e9b7ae5a66689f254ad40fe1573197/Frank%20Pomeroy%20BD%20TT.jpg)
![Sutherland Springs Pastor Frank Pomeroy speaks at a panel studying school safety and student mental health issues held by Gov. Greg Abbott at the Capitol in Austin on May 24, 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott endorses state Rep. Dustin Burrows for reelection amid scandal
Abbott's endorsement comes days after Burrows resigned as the leader of the House GOP caucus. Burrows and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen have been accused of asking a conservative activist to target GOP lawmakers in 2020. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6d48ac6b8a618046680aa44f1bc90a02/1293%20Dustin%20Burrows%20JF%20May%2014%20TT.jpg)
![State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, on the House floor on May 14, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Behind the new Texas laws that take effect Sept. 1
On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Ross, Alexa, Alex and Neena about the biggest new state laws taking effect Sept. 1, a crisis facing indigent defense in Texas, the new Texas secretary of state and the latest from the presidential campaign trail. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/16ef6c9e2e81630334579fe5b3149e9d/TribCast%208_21_19%20SF.jpg)
!["Red" Godwin pours a beer behind the bar at Zilker Brewery in Austin on June 26, 2019. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the "Beer To Go Bill" which will allow consumers to bring home beer they buy at breweries. The bill is set to go in effect in September.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Lines to get driver's licenses are long. Texans are skeptical more money will help.
In hopes to provide quicker service, over 90 of DPS' 229 offices — including every mega center and "severely crowded" office — will become fully staffed, while another 100 will receive smaller personnel boosts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f1b2dfd5221288aaddba0743b5c3ff19/01%20Drivers%20License%20Center%20Texas%20TK.jpg)
![DPS Mega Center. Pflugervile, TX.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribune -
Houston Democrat Jessica Farrar to retire from Texas House
Farrar, an attorney first elected to the lower chamber in 1994, represents House District 148, which covers parts of northern and western Houston. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/44059eb1ddb86e200b4553dbf4df9493/Jessica%20Farrar%20EW%20TT.jpg)
![State Rep. Jessica Farrar, D-Houston, in the House Chamber on March 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribune -
Five takeaways from the $80 million raised by Texas campaigns the first half of this year
Gov. Greg Abbott is a fundraising juggernaut, and Republicans still dominate campaign finance in the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/235e41af3a9379c9f92ba7c5e1a14b5d/03_Capitol_Building_AP_TT.jpg)
![State Capitol in the late afternoon on June 12, 2017.]()
Credit: Austin Price for The Texas Tribune
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e41bffbfaa990b13354117ea91a8d0c3/.BYE%20MKC%20)